Think of a number between 12 and 5

[dansalmo]

Think of a number between 12 and 5.

Select the number you thought of in the poll below

[dansalmo]

Please do not take the poll after reading this since it would skew the results.

The results so far show an interesting distribution. If you ask this question verbally the most often given answer is 7. That shows up here, but also there are a lot of hits on 11 as well. I think some people are just picking the first choice to see the results.

The theory behind most people choosing 7 is that the brain automatically performs mathematical functions on numbers that it encounters, and by posing the question in this particular way causes a subconscious subtraction to be performed resulting in 7 being the most often given answer.

I forget where I heard this before, maybe someone else can give a reference.

[tek]

I chose 8 because it was the only fibonacci number listed.

[Loci]

Yeah, I did a report on this once. It's called automaticity. It works better if you start off by having the people do simple math problems first, and it has to be rapid fire... 1+1, 2+2, 4+4, etc.

Another fun brain twister(as you read/answer out loud and then scroll down: what's 1+5



2+4



3+3





4+2




5+1






Start saying the number six rapid fire for 10 seconds!









Pick a vegetable!









See next post!

[Loci]

Carrot!

98% of people say carrot.
Tomato and Celery are also occasional response...
(And yes, I AM aware that Tomato's are not a vegetable...)

[BradL]

Ok thats scary.

-Brad

[Klepton]

this experiment only works because what other vegetable is there

i don't think i would ever say "potato" or "broccoli"

carrot is fast and easy and bugs bunny eats em

instead of this dumb math, just ask someone "name a vegetable"

they'll say carrot

[RocketManJames]

[ QUOTE ]
this experiment only works because what other vegetable is there

[/ QUOTE ]

Guess I'm a weirdo... I said eggplant. Probably because I'm kinda thinking about getting Greek tonight and the Moussaka the local joint's got is real tasty.

-RMJ

[Loci]

The theory is that by activating the working memory in mathematical principals, and then by activating the parts of the mind that stores the concept of "vegetables" into the same working memory cycle, you will naturally say a vegetable with 6 letters. This works for other memory stores too, but there aren't many that are so universal in vocabulary as vegetables so it makes the answers more uniform.

[Loci]

I'm a jedi. This is my mindtrick. FEAR ME!